Chapter 12
“Should I take a look at your wounds later? You can’t treat your back by yourself.”
After the examination ended, I followed Dr. Scott out of the Duke’s room and called out to him.
“Doctor.”
“What is it?”
“Your back.”
“……”
At my words, Dr. Scott flinched.
“You look injured. Let me treat it for you.”
“It’s fine. I’ll take care of it myself.”
“But it’s your back. You can’t reach it.”
“……”
It must’ve hit the mark—somehow I knew he was too stiff to reach it on his own. He didn’t respond, just stared silently at me.
“Whatever happened, if it gets worse, it’ll be a problem.”
“Promise you won’t ask questions.”
“Alright, I won’t.”
“Then I’ll accept your help.”
I followed Dr. Scott into his room, where he slowly removed his shirt with his back turned to me.
“Oh my god…”
I gasped in shock.
His back was in far worse condition than I imagined. Blood had soaked through the bandages, and when I removed them, I saw that the skin was gouged and had begun to fester in places.
“How did this happen…”
“You promised not to ask.”
“I did, but still… this is too much…”
“The ointment is here.”
Dr. Scott handed me a jar of ointment and a clean spatula.
What in the world could he have been doing to end up like this?
As I gently applied the ointment using the spatula, I tried to guess—but I couldn’t come up with anything.
“I’ll apply ointment for you every day until it heals.”
“I can do it myself.”
“Oh, come on! You’re only saying that because you can’t see how bad it looks! These wounds are serious!”
I was starting to get angry at how stubborn he was being. These were not the kind of injuries you could treat with willpower alone. He needed proper care until the skin regenerated.
“I am your assistant, after all! At the very least, I can do this much!”
“……”
“A doctor is someone who treats patients! I’m a doctor too!”
“……”
Dr. Scott still didn’t answer. He just stared at me, lips pressed together stubbornly.
“…I’ll bandage it now.”
Suppressing a sigh, I carefully pressed a clean cloth against his wounds and wrapped the bandage around his back.
“I’ll prepare some medicine and bring it to you, so please make sure to take it. If it gets infected, it’ll be even worse.”
Only after finishing the bandage did I finally reach for the doorknob to leave the room.
“Thank you.”
Just as I was about to step out, I heard Dr. Scott’s voice—quiet and small.
Took you long enough to say that.
“If you’re really thankful, please find my replacement soon. Rest well, Doctor.”
I closed the door behind me and headed straight for the dispensary. I needed to prepare separate medications for both Dr. Scott and the Duke.
Once I’m done with this, I should head back to the lab and finish the experiment I was working on yesterday.
As I opened the door to the dispensary, the familiar scent of medicinal herbs greeted me. If only they had antibiotics here.
The modern world I lived in before was so convenient… I thought, as I opened the drawers.
“Huh?”
Where did it go? The elm bark that prevents inflammation—if that’s not here, maybe dandelion or houttuynia…
But the drawers that should have contained those herbs were empty, too.
“Did Dr. Scott already use them all?”
It didn’t seem likely, given he hadn’t been back for long. Unless someone was secretly taking them?
There had been more than a few suspicious things since I came into this body. Do I really have to investigate this, too? I just want to leave quietly.
Sigh. No use thinking about it now—I should just go buy more herbs. I’ve been stuck inside the estate too long, taking care of that dog and doing research.
“Might as well check out that new scone place while I’m out.”
I remembered the famous scone shop featured in the newspaper. I’d always meant to go, but work had made me forget. I should also pick up some snacks in case I miss a meal in the kitchen again.
I’d rather not run into someone on a midnight stroll again, like last time. No matter how used to the Duke of Calix I’d become, caution was still necessary.
I went back to my room, threw on a coat, and got ready to head out. Just as I was stepping outside the annex—
“Elena?”
“Your Grace?”
There he was, standing with Luca and Tofu, still as breathtakingly beautiful as ever—like a scene from a photo shoot.
“Why are you outside?”
“I wanted to observe the symptoms more closely in natural light. Where are you headed?”
Oh… was this because I mentioned he should monitor the symptoms? Did he take that to heart and come out personally?
“I’m going out to buy some herbs.”
“……”
For a moment, Duke Calix furrowed his brows. He looked so handsome even with that slight frown that I almost wanted to squeeze myself in between them. But… it puzzled me.
Why did he seem displeased that I was going out? Was he worried I might try to escape?
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back before the day’s over.”
“That’s not it. I just think it’s dangerous for you to go alone.”
“I’ve been doing fine on my own so far.”
“……”
That felt out of nowhere. I’d been wandering around just fine on my own. Well… that did lead me to becoming a witness, but still.
“You did get involved in something dangerous recently.”
“Well, yes…”
“Then how about this—”
“Yes?”
“Would you like to go out with me?”
Just then, the sunlight broke through the clouds and shone behind Duke Calix’s smiling face.
A heavenly glow behind a killer. What is this crazy level of beauty? He looks like an angel!
I was almost dizzy from how perfect he looked. Who was he trying to be so beautiful for? He’s a murderer!
While I was swooning over his looks, I suddenly came to my senses.
Wait—did he just invite me to go out with him? Did I hear that right?
“Your Grace, I’m sorry, but… could you repeat that?”
“Would you like to go out with me?”
“……”
Me? With Your Grace? Just the two of us? Why??
I had a lot of things I wanted to say, but I couldn’t get the words out.
Why is he asking me to go with him? Is there an ulterior motive? Is he trying to make me an accomplice or something?
My head was spinning. I was only planning to buy herbs, some scones, and a few snacks. How did it get so complicated?
“Umm… well, I mean, uh…”
“Is it that uncomfortable for you?”
Duke Calix’s face suddenly turned glum. Maybe it was just my imagination, but even Tofu in his arms and Luca beside him looked downcast.
“Woof! (I want to go too!)”
“Looks like Luca wants to spend time with you, too.”
“Ah… Luca does…”
W-What do I do? Should I say yes? It’s just herbs and scones—what could possibly go wrong?
Even if something did happen, surely Duke Calix wouldn’t be dumb enough to commit murder in a public place. And honestly, nothing had happened while I’d been at the Duke’s estate.
Actually… hasn’t he been rather kind and gentle? Even if it’s all an act, I don’t feel like he’s about to kill me. At least, not yet.
My hesitation stretched into an awkward silence. While I was frantically thinking things through, Duke Calix was smiling with that dazzling face of his, and Luca had come close and started licking my hand.
